Adjustable handle support of an exercise apparatus

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an adjustable handle support of an exercise apparatus having a main frame, two rocker arms on the main frame and two planks in connection with power source (e.g. motor, flywheel, hydraulic cylinder, etc.). The rocker arms are individually movable in a swing motion or jointly movable with the planks. An adjusting mechanism is interposed between the handle support and the rocker arm for adjusting the handle support to suitable angles for different operators.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an adjustable handle support of an exercise apparatus, and more particularly, to an apparatus for adjusting the handle support to a suitable angle for different operators.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Conventional oval-tracked exercise apparatuses include rocker arms that are jointly movable with the motion of the operators' feet. The rocker arms are rigidly located at a normal height to suit most operators. Due to different heights of operators, this kind of the exercise apparatus is not suitable for operators with a lower height. Therefore, it's uncomfortable for them to use the oval-tracked exercise apparatus.

In order to eliminate the aforementioned problem, the manufacturer produce different models to meet the requirement of different heights to raise their revenue. However, to reduce or to raise the height of the apparatus means that more components are required. Accordingly, this can't raise profits, but increase the manufacture cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In light of the demerits of the prior art, the invention provides an adjustable handle support of an exercise apparatus that aims to ameliorate at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a useful alternative.

A primary objective of the invention is to provide a handle support that is adjustable to suitable heights for different operators.

Another objective of the invention is to provide a handle support that is adjustable on the rocker arm of the exercise apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accomplishment of this and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description and its accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention installed to an exercise apparatus;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an adjusting mechanism in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is a cutaway view of the adjusting mechanism in accordance with the invention, wherein one clamping element is spaced from the cubic body;

FIG. 4 is a cutaway view of the adjusting mechanism in accordance with the invention, wherein the clamping element is engaged with the cubic body; and

FIG. 5 is a side view of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, the oval-tracked exercise apparatus 10 has a main frame 11. Two rocker arms 12 are linked to the front end of two planks 13, respectively while the rear end of the two planks 13 are attached to both sides of a flywheel 14 in such a manner so that both planks 13 are alternately movable.

The middle part of the rocker arms 12 is pivotably coupled to one end of a connecting strip 18 while the other end of the connecting strip 18 is pivotally connected to an auxiliary rod 17 and a connecting rod 19. The whole movable configuration of the oval-tracked exercise apparatus 10 is controlled by a positioning rod 16 which is activated by a driving unit 15. In this way, the rocker arms 12 can be moved with the planks 13 to undergo the swing motion.

In operation, the operator holds with his hands the handle 21 of the handle support 20 at the top of the rocker arms 12 for simulating a climbing action. Meanwhile, the feet of the operator tread on the planks 13 for simulating an exercise of the whole body.

Meanwhile, an adjusting mechanism 30 is interposed between the handle supports 20 and the rocker arms 12, respectively and serves to adjust the handle 21 on the handle support 20 to suitable heights for different operators.

As shown in FIG. 2, the adjusting mechanism 30 includes an adjusting knob 31 in form of a cap, a stepped middle projection 32 extending toward the free end of the adjusting knob 31, a shaft 33 extending from the middle stepped projection 32 and a threaded head 34 at the free end of the shaft 33. A U-shaped frame 40 rigidly sits on the rocker arm 12. A pair of shaft holes 41 is formed in the side walls of the U-shaped frame 40. A plurality of notches 42 and teeth 43 are formed on the semicircular top of each side wall. Moreover, two locating holes 44 are formed beneath each of the shaft holes 41.

Two clamping elements 50 each have teeth 52 on one of its sides around a shaft hole 51. A series of uniformly spaced ridges 53 is disposed on the rim of the other side of the clamping element 50. A notched part 54 is formed adjacent to the ridges 53. At least one outwardly extending post 55 is located on the outer side of the clamping element 50. The ridges 53 and the posts 55 on one of the clamping element 50 are longer than the ridges 53 and the posts 55 on the other clamping element 50. The clamping element 50 are mounted on two side walls of the U-shaped frame 40 in such a manner that the ridges 53 are received in the notches 42 (or the teeth 43 are positioned in the notched part 54) and the posts 55 are introduced into the locating holes 44. In this way, both clamping elements 50 are rigidly fixed in position on the two side walls of the U-shaped frame 40.

A cubic body 60 is mounted on the end of the handle support 20 opposing to the handle 21. Two sides of the cubic body 60 communicate with each other through a shaft hole 61. A series of uniformly spaced teeth 62 around the shaft hole 61 are formed on each of two sides of the cubic body 60. A bolt 63 is screwed to the top of the cubic body 60.

As shown in FIGS. 3 through 5, the assembly of the aforementioned members of the adjusting mechanism 30 is done in such a way that the handle support 20 with the cubic body 60 is clamped between the clamping elements 50 on both sides of the U-shaped frame 40. Then, the shaft 33 of the adjusting knob 31 is inserted through the shaft holes 41, 51, 61, and a nut 35 is screwed on to the threaded head 34 of the shaft 33.

After assembly of the adjusting mechanism 30, the cubic body 60 is slightly spaced from the clamping element 50 with the longer ridges 53 so that the cubic body 60 is rotatable on the shaft 33 for adjusting the cubic body 60 to a most suitable position for the operator.

After the adjustment of the cubic body 60, the adjusting knob 31 with the threaded head 34 can be further screwed to the nut 35 for allowing the clamping element 50 with the longer ridges 53 to move inwardly toward the cubic body 60 in such a way that the teeth 52 of the clamping elements 50 engage with the teeth 62 of the cubic body 60 in place.

For a further adjustment of the handle support 20, it's only necessary to loosen the joint between the adjusting knob 31 and the nut 35 and, therefore, to disengage the teeth 52 of the clamping element 50 from the teeth 62 of the cubic body 60. The steps in adjusting the handle support 20 are the same to the above-mentioned.

Concluded from the aforementioned, the invention has following effects and merits:

1. A like model of rocker arm exercise apparatuses provided with the invention suits different operators with different heights. Thus, the adjustable handle support makes the exercise apparatus more universal. In addition, the adjustment of the handle support can be done by operators themselves to meet the requirements of simple operation.

2. A fine adjustment is possible so that the handle support is adjustable to suitable heights for more operators.

Many changes and modifications in the above-described embodiments of the invention can, of course, be carried out without departing from the scope thereof. Accordingly, to promote the progress in science and the useful arts, the invention is disclosed and is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims. 

1. An adjustable handle support for an exercise apparatus having a main frame, two rocker arms on the main frame and two planks in connection with power source, wherein the rocker arms are individually movable in a swing motion or jointly movable with the planks, and wherein an adjusting mechanism is interposed between the handle support and the rocker arm for adjusting the handle support to a suitable angle for different operators.
 2. The adjustable handle support of claim 1 wherein the adjusting mechanism comprising: a) an adjusting knob having a stepped middle projection and a shaft, the shaft having a threaded head at the free end thereof; b) a U-shaped frame rigidly sitting on the rocker arm, a pair of shaft holes being formed in the side walls of the U-shaped frame, a plurality of notches and teeth being provided on the semicircular top of each side wall, two locating holes being formed beneath each of the shaft holes of the U-shaped frame; c) two clamping elements each having teeth on one of its sides around a shaft hole thereof, a series of uniformly spaced ridges being disposed on the rim of the other side of the clamping element, a notched part being formed adjacent to the ridges, at least one outwardly extending post being located on the outer side of the clamping element, whereby the clamping element are mounted on two side walls of the U-shaped frame in such a manner that the ridges are received in the notches and the posts are introduced into the locating holes so that both clamping elements are rigidly fixed in position on the two side walls of the U-shaped frame; and d) a cubic body mounted on the end of the handle support opposing to the handle, two sides of the cubic body communicating with each other through a shaft hole, a series of uniformly spaced teeth around the shaft hole of the cubic body being formed on each of two sides of the cubic body, whereby the handle support with the cubic body is clamped between the clamping elements on both sides of the U-shaped frame; then, the shaft of the adjusting knob is inserted through the shaft holes of the U-shaped frame, the clamping elements and the cubic body, and a nut is screwed on to the threaded head of the shaft to undergo the assembly of the adjusting mechanism. 